Ashes 2023: Stuart Broad Upset As Ben Stokes Denies DRS Call: Day three of the Lord’s Test was a disappointment for England. The team struggled, losing six wickets for a mere 48 runs in the first session, finishing at a total of 325. To add to the woes, Australia ended the day on a strong note, scoring 130/2, with a commanding lead of 221 runs. England’s frustrations escalated with a multitude of missed opportunities, particularly with Marnus Labuschagne at the crease.
England’s fast bowler, Stuart Broad, had several near-miss moments with Labuschagne, which eventually turned into an online meme generator. His repeated attempts to send Labuschagne back to the pavilion were thwarted, often due to his premature celebrations or lack of reviews.
Ashes 2023: Stuart Broad shouts at Ben Stokes
During the first instance, a close call led to a loud appeal from Broad and wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow. An overly excited Broad, caught up in the moment, began his victory run towards the slip cordon, only to realize the umpire had not been swayed by the appeal. The replay clarified the situation – Labuschagne’s bat had hit the ground, not the ball.
In the second case, Broad believed he had trapped Labuschagne lbw. Launching into celebration before confirming the umpire’s decision, Broad was left high and dry. Adding to the sting, Ben Stokes decided against a review, a decision that would come back to haunt them, as the replay indicated the ball had missed the wickets.
— Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) June 30, 2023
The third instance was a case of déjà vu. Broad appeared to have Labuschagne trapped again, but Stokes declined a DRS review. The painful irony hit Broad while he was walking back, seeing coach Brendon McCullum’s raised finger as the big screen showed the ball hitting the wickets.
The day ended on another sour note for England, as Broad had to go for X-Ray scans after being hit by a bouncer from Cameron Green. It was a blow to the head that left the team and fans concerned.
The third day of the Lord’s Test turned out to be an ordeal for England, with missed chances and unfortunate events impacting their performance. The lesson from this day might be a reminder of the age-old cricket adage: never celebrate too early and never underestimate the power of a review.
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